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Humor Quote by Charles Dickens

“Besides, the kettle was aggravating and obstinate. It wouldn't allow itself to be adjusted on the top bar; it wouldn't hear of accommodating itself kindly to the knobs of coal; it would lean forward with a drunken air and dribble, a very Idiot of a kettle, on the hearth. It was quarrelsome, and…” quote by Charles Dickens
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““Besides, the kettle was aggravating and obstinate. It wouldn't allow itself to be adjusted on the top bar; it wouldn't hear of accommodating itself kindly to the knobs of coal; it would lean forward with a drunken air and dribble, a very Idiot of a kettle, on the hearth. It was quarrelsome, and hissed and spluttered morosely at the fire. To sum up all, the lid, resisting Mrs. Peerybingle's fingers, first of all turned topsy-turvey, and then with an ingenious pertinacity deserving of a better cause, dived sideways in - down to the very bottom of the kettle. And the hull of the Royal George has never made half the monstrous resistance to coming out of the water, which the lid of that kettle employed against Mrs. Peerybingle, before she got it up again. It looked sullen and pig-headed enough, even then: carrying its handle with an air of defiance, and cocking its spout pertly and mockingly at Mrs. Peerybingle as if it said, "I won't boil. Nothing shall induce me!””

Charles Dickens

About This Quote

Source Novel: Little Dorrit, 1857

The kettle symbolizes stubbornness and resistance to change, reflecting human obstinacy.

In simple terms: Stubborn things resist help.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and address resistance.

Themes

stubbornness resistance human nature

Mood

irry reflective

Type

literary observational

When to use this quote

  • daily frustrations
  • conflict resolution
  • personal growth

Key Concepts

metaphor character study

Questions to Reflect On

  • What stubbornness in your life needs addressing?
  • How can you approach it differently?
A Different Perspective

Resistance can be overcome with patience and flexibility.

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